Degree type: BSc (Hons)
UCAS Code: G470 BSc/CGT
Duration: 4 years (full-time)
How to Apply
Why choose this course?
Such is the shortage of well trained, highly skilled computer games programmers that the career opportunities open to you when you graduate with our BSc (Hons) in Computer Games Technology are virtually endless.
This world-leading course is academically challenging and will develop your skills in game console programming, real-time interactive graphics and mathematics. In addition to the specialist core studies, there is freedom within the course to take optional modules to develop interests in areas associated with computer game development.
You will leave us with confidence and skills to work in one of the most demanding industries in the world, and at a distinct advantage over other computing graduates intending a career in the games industry.
Year 1
Computer and graphics architecture; C++ programming; applied mathematics; media production for games.
Year 2
Console games development; graphics programming; applied mathematics; various options.
Year 3
3D graphics programming; programming environments; prototype game development; various options.
Year 4
Advanced game technologies; network game programming; game professional awareness; individual Honours project.
How you learn
You will spend initially around 12-15 hours per week in lectures, tutorials and computing-based laboratories. Lectures are used to present the key concepts, theories and techniques throughout the course. Tutorials and laboratory-based activities increase your understanding of the subject and allow you to develop your competence and confidence in technological and theoretical work.
During the course you will also be required to actively participate in group project work, discussion groups, seminars, and private study.
How you are assessed
There is a mixed assessment strategy used on the course. The majority of modules are assessed through coursework - which may be continuous and may include project work and student led presentation. Some modules use a mixture of coursework and formal examination.
Higher AABB; A Level BBC; ILC (H) BBBBB; UCAS Tariff 264 points*
*See UCAS Tariff Guidance below
Essential subjects: Mathematics (min. grade B) at Scottish Higher or AS Level.
Advanced entry (year 2)
A Level: AAB (to include Mathematics & Computer Science)
UCAS Tariff Guidance
Although there is no limit to the number of points that you can accumulate, for entry to Abertay you must have qualifications at an appropriate level (SCQF 6/NQF 3); you cannot count the same or similar qualifications twice; Standard Grades, Intermediate 2s, GCSEs and key/core skills cannot be counted; and D grades at SQA Higher and Advanced Higher are not counted.
Applicants who have taken either SQA Highers or A Levels must offer at least three Highers or two A Levels for degree entry (or two Highers or one A Level for DipHE entry). If you have studied a subject at two different levels, the most advanced will be taken into consideration; e.g. if you studied both Higher Biology and Advanced Higher Biology, then only the Advanced Higher will be counted.
Overseas/EU
All applicants are required to provide certified proof of competence in English Language and the University's minimum requirements are listed here
USA Applicants - US High School Diploma along with either AP or SAT scores. If the US High School Diploma is offered with AP scores then at least two, but preferably three subjects at AP (two of which should be technology related, e.g. computing, physics) at grade 4. If the US High School Diploma is offered with SAT scores, then a minimum of 600 in writing, critical reading and mathematical elements of the SAT Reasoning Test and a minimum of 600 in the relevant SAT Subject Tests (with the subjects being technology related is required).
Mature
Applications from mature students are assessed on the same criteria used for school leavers, e.g. SQA Highers or GCE A Levels, where relevant school leaving qualifications exist. For those without standard entry qualifications, consideration is given to experience gained as well as professional qualifications and other forms of learning that could provide evidence of ability to benefit from a particular course.
The successful completion of approved access courses (such as those offered by Dundee College in association with the universities of Abertay, Dundee and St Andrews) provides significant evidence of ability to benefit from study at Abertay.
For further advice please use our Ask a Question section.
Your future
On graduating, you will possess a mathematics/games orientated programming degree which is highly sought after by the computer games industry. The BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology degree was created in response to the industry’s acute shortage of game programmers and is designed to meet the industry requirements outlined by Skillset. The University works closely with leading game developers such as Sony Computers Entertainment Europe, Electronic Arts, Codemasters and Denki, making graduates from the course highly employable within these industries.
Graduates have found employment as games, graphics and network programmers in a wide variety of different areas such as creating console games for Sony PlayStation3, Nintendo Wii, and Microsoft XBox 360, to programming handheld devices such as Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and mobile telephones. While pursuing their studies some students have taken advantage of the University’s enterprise initiatives to found their own start-up companies.
Professional accreditation
The course was the first in the UK to be awarded accreditation by the Sector Skills Council for Creative Media (Skillset) in 2006. It is also accredited by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, as meeting the educational requirement for CITP and partially meeting the educational requirement for CEng/CSci registration subject to Committee approval in early 2010.
| Fee Category | September 2012 Fees |
Scholarships & Bursaries |
| Scottish and other EU students |
The 2012 fee will be announced Apply to the Student Awards Agency |
Other forms of support |
| English, Welsh and Northern Irish students |
£7000 per year (max. amount payable You can apply for financial assistance, |
Bursaries & Scholarships |
| Overseas (non EU) students |
£9975 per year. Fees may be subject to annual increase. |
Overseas Scholarships |
Fees shown are payable annually, and may be subject to increase each year.
